Abstract

Hyphaene coriacea is a useful palm in tropical Africa which also grows in the grasslands of western Madagascar. A study was conducted on the importance of this species in handcrafts and the ecological impacts in three Fokontany around the Baie de Rigny. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted with women aged between 14 and 70 years old who commonly created baskets, from the collection of leaves until the sale of the finished products. The evaluation of human activities on the production of H. coriacea leaves was conducted by counting leaves produced by 175 palm trees subjected to different sampling conditions during one year. On average, one person collects 120 to 160 leaves, produces 60 to 80 baskets and earns 43,200 Ariary per month. The collection of the leaves contributes to sustainable management by using special tools and practices during collection such as not completely cutting down palms. However, collection of leaves negatively impacts production of leaves by reducing their number. Rotating leaf collection, restricting the number of leaves collected on each individual per year, and protection of the vegetation against brush fires are strongly advised while respecting the management techniques already in use.

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